This book provides a very structured guide to managing anger. It does require a lot of commitment to record your progress on the supplied worksheets. However, this will repay the effort put in. It is a good book for working through with a therapist or coach.

This detailed self care programme has been produced by the University of British Columbia in Canada. In our opinion it is an excellent self-help guide for people with mild to moderate levels of depression.

Probably one of the best self-help books for depression based on cognitive behaviour therapy. In fact, research has suggested that reading this book alone (and doing the exercises) has a significant antidepressant effect which is still noticeable three years later. (Dr Burns does however also add that some depressed people need the additional help of a therapist). This updated version also has a good advice section on antidepressant drugs.

Another book from the excellent Overcoming series - this one is a very readable description of the problems of not liking and valuing yourself and offers a practical step by step approach to "learn the art of self acceptance" and to change your life for the better.

This book is becoming a standard book. It is very comprehensive, covers a vast range of information and presents many skills and strategies to combat depression. Read all of the 5-star reviews on Amazon.

Based on the latest work from Professor Paul Gilbert OBE, bestselling author of The Compassionate Mind, and Buddhist expert Choden.Professor Gilbert has spent the past twenty years developing a new therapy called Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) which has an gained international following. In recent years, mindfulness is being used increasingly to treat common mental health problems such as depression, stress and stress-related insomnia.

Bestselling author and leading authority on depression, Professor Paul Gilbert explores in this ground-breaking book how our minds have developed to be highly sensitive and quick to react to perceived threats and how this fast-acting threat-response system can be a source of anxiety, depression and aggression. He describes how studies have also shown that developing kindness and compassion for self and others can hep in calming down that threat system. He outlines the latest findings about the value of compassion and how it works, and takes readers through basic mind training exercises to enhance the capacity for, and use of, compassion.

Imagine an 8-week program that can help you overcome depression, anxiety, and stress--by simply learning new ways to respond to your own thoughts and feelings. That program is mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), and it has been tested and proven effective in clinical trials throughout the world. Now you can get the benefits of MBCT any time, any place, by working through this carefully constructed book.

A good British site covering general health issues. The depression section is particularly impressive. The site also has a thriving community which provides an excellent resource for support and advice. The articles about various aspects of depression are particularly clear and useful.

A classic self-help book which is full of wisdom and understanding - many of the reviews of this book describe it as changing lives and giving people the strength and courage to overcome their anxiety.

A free site with detailed self help pages on panic disorder. (Or you can work through a more detailed on-line therapy program). There is also the opportunity to do an on-line test measuring your anxiety levels. This is a very detailed and time intensive program. However, it is also very thorough and repays the effort required.

This resource has some straight-forward explantions for various techinues that help overcome and manage worry. This includes a section on the very effective Worry Time technique which is covered in Outlook South West's Stress Buster sessions (see part 3).

A Special Scar: The Experiences of People Bereaved by Suicide - Alison Wertheimer

Alison Wertheimer's book is helpful on a practical, as well as an emotional level. The stories of other survivors help to ease the isolation often suffered by this type of bereavement. Advice for dealing with police, coroners, inquests and a detailed section on emotions.

Beyond the Rough Rock: Supporting a Child Who Has Been Bereaved Through Suicide - Stubbs and Stokes

Practical advice aimed at giving parents and professionals the confidence to involve children in discussions about the nature of a death by suicide. Includes child-friendly activities to do as a family to help make sense of what has happened and to help your family can learn to cope.

This is an excellent site with down to earth information for people about grieving, problems specific to children, a schools page and a crisis page. It also has a comprehensive list of books available for ordering including self help guides as well as more spiritual reflections.

This site dedicates itself to the difficult issues for families when a child dies. There are information sections for the families, children and professional workers who are affected by such a tragedy.

Winston's Wish is the leading childhood bereavement charity and the largest provider of services to bereaved children, young people and their families in the UK. They offer practical support and guidance to families, professionals and anyone concerned about a grieving child.

OCD

A highly recommended book which offers readable explanations of OCD and structured self help programmes for overcoming symptoms. A reviewer said "...it can help you live your life the way it should be lived..."

This book is primarily a self-help guide specifically for sufferers of OCD as well as partners, family, friends and colleagues of those affected. The book is divided into two parts with part one focusing on understanding the condition and the second part explaining how CBT may be used as an effective form of OCD treatment.

OCD Action is the national charity for people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the related disorders such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Compulsive Skin Picking (CSP) and Trichotillomania (hair pulling).

A classic self-help book which is full of wisdom and understanding - many of the reviews of this book describe it as changing lives and giving people the strength and courage to overcome their anxiety.

A free site with detailed self help pages on panic disorder. (Or you can work through a more detailed on-line therapy program). There is also the opportunity to do an on-line test measuring your anxiety levels. This is a very detailed and time intensive program. However, it is also very thorough and repays the effort required.

How One of You Can Bring the Two of You Together - Susan Page Broadway Books

This is the book we recommend when people think there is a problem that needs to be sorted out but their partner refuses to address it. The feedback we have got from people using this book has been excellent.

Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps: How We're Different and What to Do About It - Allan Pease, Barbara Pease, Trevor Dolby

This is a brilliantly easy to read and funny description of the difference between the sexes, which is also based on the most recent scientific research. Clear descriptions of the way that men and women's brains are 'wired' differently and the sort of failures of communication that crop up time and time again. We think this book should be required reading for anyone planning to live alongside someone of the opposite sex!

The Relate Guide to Second Families: Living Successfully with Other People's Children - Suzie Hayman

A great many problems we encounter in our clinical work are to do with couples who already have children from other relationships. This arrangement sometimes leads to great stress and conflict, with questions such as, who disciplines the children?, how should contact with the other parents be handled?, etc. This book is very good at covering most of the common problems and gives clear helpful advice.

Self Esteem

Centre for clinical interventions - single information sheets

Overcoming Low Self-Esteem: This information package is designed to provide you with some information about low self-esteem - how it develops, how it is maintained, and how to address this problem. It is organised into modules that are designed to be worked through in sequence.

A thorough CBT approach to overcoming insomnia. CBT has been shown to be very effective in helping people with sleep problems. In a clear step by step approach, new patterns of relaxation, sleeping and waking are quickly learned

Social anxiety is one of the most debilitating forms of anxiety there is. This book, written by one of the UK's leading experts in the field, is very easy to read and is what we recommend as a first choice for people with anxiety problems.

This book is based on the latest cognitive behavioural treatments for social phobia. The techniques presented here have been extensively tested and have been shown to be significantly more beneficial than medication and other types of psychotherapy. The book is written in simple language and provides a commonsense approach to treatment. Four people with social phobia are introduced at the beginning and these cases are followed throughout the book, illustrating the application of each technique. The book also includes progress sheets and monitoring forms for users to copy.

Trauma

Overcoming Traumatic Stress - Claudia Herbert and Ann Wetmore

A reviewer said "As a sufferer of PTSD this book made me realise I was not "Crazy", or "abnormal", my body and mind was just trying to cope with the trauma that had been inflicted upon it. It gives logical and rational advice to help rebuild a life following a traumatic experience. The step by step guides to recovery serve as a reminder of how far you've come towards recovery, and allow you, perhaps for the first time, to start laying the bricks to build the path to recovery. The Authors are to be commended on this amazing piece of literature."

I Can't Get Over It: Handbook for Trauma Survivors - Aphrodite Matsakis

A very comprehensive book explaining our reactions to trauma with practical suggestions to aid in recovery. Synopsis: This work guides and supports readers through the healing process of recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from crime, accidents, rape, family violence, and sexual abuse. It seeks to help in coping with memories and emotions, such as anger, grief, survivor guilt, and recognizing related problems, such as depression, compulsive behaviour and low self-esteem.

This book uses the groundbreaking Compassion Focused Therapy to help the reader to not only develop a fuller understanding of how we react to trauma, but also to deal with feelings and start to overcome any trauma-related difficulties.

Combat Stress is the UK's leading military charity specialising in the care of Veterans' mental health. They look after men and women who are suffering from a psychological condition related to their Service career. This might be PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) depression, anxiety, or a phobia. Their services are free of charge to Veterans.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists, which is the professional and educational body for psychiatrists in the UK, has a dedicated page on their website for PTSD. It provides a good overview of everything you need to know about the condition.

Using well-developed methods of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy this book demonstrates how to recognise what happens when we are stressed. It describes how to change how we think, feel and act so our lives become more enjoyable and effective.

This site defines work related stress and gives tips and examples. There are 2 downloadable pdf files, one with advice for employees and one for managers. Pages on this site also give all necessary information on the legal aspects and position regarding workplace stress.

Headroom is for anyone who wants to learn more about the importance of good mental health. It's also for anyone who wants a safe place to learn about mental illness. Finally, Headroom is a place where you can take simple steps to boost your mental wellbeing and unwind your mind!